Manchester United are said to have agreed to sign Renato Sanches this summer (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in place to sign Benfica star Renato Sanches this summer, according to reports in Portugal.

The Red Devils were desperate to sign the 18-year-old in the January transfer window but Benfica were keen to hold onto the youngster until at least the summer.

Louis van Gaal’s future at Old Trafford is up in the air but the Red Devils will push ahead with moves in the transfer market – like they did with the signings of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw in 2014.

Sanches is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Europe and, according to Portuguese outlet Record, United have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in place with Benfica which will see the midfielder move to Old Trafford for the 2016/17 season.

The report goes on to explain that no fee has been agreed for Sanches but that Benfica expect the figure to topple the £31million they recieved from selling Axel Witsel to Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2012.